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FIRST EDITIONS OF HANK JANSON

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : ACCUSED.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition : the variant with the coloured advertisement for the never published “Blonde Dupe” on the lower wrapper. The most notorious and most scrutinised of the books in the 1954 obscenity trial, with Heade at his very best on the front cover, with a tenderness sometimes lacking. Evidently based on James M. Cain’s “The Postman Always Rings Twice”, it is thought that the outline of the plot was supplied to Frances by Geoffrey Pardoe (Holland p.299). Crown 8vo (19cm). 128pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a braceleted Heade blonde in lilac and an agony-or-ecstasy pose; slight tear and tiny scuff to spine; price alteration sticker on upper wrapper; a few slight marks; text lightly tanned, but a very good copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in any major library worldwide. Williams and Holland 41.

£75

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : ACCUSED.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition : the variant listing six “Fourth Series” titles (and two “Specials”) on the lower wrapper. The most notorious and most scrutinised of the books in the 1954 obscenity trial, with Heade at his very best on the front cover, with a tenderness sometimes lacking. Evidently based on James M. Cain’s “The Postman Always Rings Twice”, it is thought that the outline of the plot was supplied to Frances by Geoffrey Pardoe (Holland p.299). Crown 8vo (19cm). 128pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a braceleted Heade blonde in lilac and an agony-or-ecstasy pose; minor wear at head; short split at foot; a few slight marks, but a very good copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in any major library worldwide. Williams and Holland 41.

£75

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Tangier : Universal Publishing Corporation, [1960]. First edition. A story from the Prohibition era – with some biting social commentary. Made and printed in France, with a copyright date of 1959 – the Tangier imprint may be a false one. The book also appeared in a Roberts & Vinter edition. Crown 8vo (18cm). 160pp. Original pictorial wrappers; some rubbing, wear and creasing; chips and tape marks at head and tail; text a little tanned, but a reasonable copy of an uncommon title. This edition not listed by Williams & Holland – and just a single copy (Bibliothèque Nationale) located in major libraries worldwide.

£20

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : AMOK.

London : New Fiction Press, [1953]. First edition : a secondary issue, with the advertisement for “Nyloned Avenger” on the lower wrapper – and without the Anne Shelton ‘Hank Janson Blues’ advertisements on the inner wrappers. “Amok” was first published in May 1953 and “Nyloned Avenger” in August of that year. Condemned man awaits execution, jailbreak with a psychopath and fiancee, etc. – one of the seven Janson books found to be obscene at the Old Bailey trial in January 1954 and subsequently banned. Janson’s publishers, Reg Carter and Julius Reiter, were given heavy fines and each sentenced to prison for six months – and although it is entirely possible that 100,000 copies were printed the book is now extremely rare. When Janson (Frances) himself came to trial in February 1955, he was acquitted on the grounds that some of the seven books (which Janson generally dictated rather than wrote) may have been written in whole or in part by the editor, Geoffrey Pardoe, who had died shortly after “Amok” was published in May 1953. Crown 8vo (19cm). 143,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – an unsigned design but plainly by Reginald Heade (1901-1957) – bosomy and startled green-eyed brunette in clinging yellow; very lightly rubbed; staples rusting; upper wrapper a little creased; prelims lightly yellowed, but a good copy of a difficult title. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 47.

£75

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London : S. D. Frances, [1949]. First edition. “If you’re the kinda guy that gets a kick out of Scenery, you’d have got your bellyfull travelling alongside me from California into Oregon”. The penultimate book of the first series of Janson titles – the subject of forty-nine local authority destruction orders – and both Frances and a local bookseller were fined in Blackburn for publishing it and selling it (Holland p. 126). Later republished under the Roberts & Vinter imprint as “Outcast” in 1961. Crown 8vo (19cm). (3)-124,[iv],[2]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a design by Reginald Heade of hands tightening a chain round the neck of a sumptuously endowed strawberry blonde; some minor wear to tips; staples a little rusted; faint yellowing to parts of upper wrapper, but a very good copy. Just two copies (British Library and Trinity College, Dublin) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 11.

London : New Fiction Press, [1951]. “Fifth edition”. A fresh edition of the title first published under the S. D. Frances imprint in 1949 – the strangled Heade blonde of the original edition here replaced by a plain silhouette cover. Crown 8vo (18cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original stapled pictorial wrappers – a silhouette design in purple and pink; mild creasing to spine; very slight wear to tips, but a very good copy.

£25

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : AUCTIONED.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition. “Beneath the sharp moon the desert becomes a silvery, frozen sea, unlimited, unbounded and silently beautiful. Great gleaming stars spangle the blue velvet of the heavens, blazing with a brilliance, wondrous and amazing to those who never before have seen the Southern Cross”. The first and I suspect the scarcest of Janson’s desert trilogy. Crown 8vo (19cm). 127,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – unsigned but generally attributed to Reginald Heade; half-title neatly excised; slight chip at foot; some minor wear and creasing; prelims and edges a little spotted; staples slightly rusted, but a better than average copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide.

London : Alexander Moring, (1958). First edition. Hank receives a tip-off – an old-fashioned duel at dawn in a park in Chicago – the girl in the flame-red frock “gently moistened her lips, almost as though her mouth was watering”. Crown 8vo (18cm). 160pp. Original pictorial wrappers; a little rubbed; faint crease to lower wrapper, but overall a very good copy. Just two copies (British Library and Bibliothèque Nationale) located in major libraries worldwide.

£20

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London : S. D. Frances, [1950]. An early reissue of this rare first series title – originally published in June 1949 and here with seven further titles listed, indicating a date of issue early in 1950. Foolscap 8vo. 127,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a design by Reginald Heade – goggle-eyed blonde in stockings, heels and skimpy blue tied to chair; very lightly used and just faintly rubbed; some mild spotting of edges, but a very good copy. Only the British Library copy located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 7.

£75

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London : S. D. Frances, [1950]. First edition. The opening theme is one of judicial leniency, public opinion and newspaper responsibility – the book ran up thirty-five destruction orders by the end of 1953 (Holland p.323). Crown 8vo (19cm). 128pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Reginald Heade blonde in a black negligee surprised at her dressing table; a few slight marks and creases; staples rusted, but a very good copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 22.

London : New Fiction Press, [1951]. First edition. The first of the “silver” Jansons – all that can be seen of the original Reginald Heade cover design is a splash of purple sheet, the tip of a shoe and a few hairs from the top of the half-naked brunette’s head. The original artwork (saucy even by Heade’s standards) was silvered over prior to publication in fear of increasing attention from the authorities. Crown 8vo (19cm). 125,[iii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers; lightly rubbed and just slightly worn; a few spots and faint creases, but a very good copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 32.

£40

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : CONFLICT.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition. “She’d been sitting at the bar for half-an-hour and during that time she’d ordered and drunk three Martinis. That’s a lot of Martinis for a tight little package to consume in half-an-hour. Especially a dame who’s young as well as cute ...”. The second book in Janson’s fourth series – the subject of twenty-four destruction orders by various local authorities – and one of a number of books that several booksellers on the Isle of Man were prosecuted for selling in July 1953 (Holland pp.133-134). Crown 8vo (19cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers in a design by Reginald Heade (1901-1957) – pained redhead in plunging green with blood on her hands; a few slight marks; faint crease on lower wrapper, but otherwise an excellent copy of a scarce title. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 38.

£100

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : CORRUPTION.

London : Top Fiction, [1953]. First edition : in the variant wrapper with an advertisement for the never-to-be-published “Blonde Dupe” on the lower panel. The last book of the fourth series and the first under the Top Fiction imprint – with a theme of a high-class call-girl racket being used to ensnare public officials, the book opens with an unsual corruption trial at which no defence is offered. Top Fiction Ltd. was a new company hurriedly formed by Reg Carter after the police raids and seizures at the premises of the Janson publishers, printers and distributors in September 1953 (Holland pp.135-136). Later republished under the Roberts & Vinter imprint as “Secret Session” in 1960. Crown 8vo (18cm). 142,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a design by Reginald Heade of a brunette in green with pink champagne and a long cigarette holder; slightly rubbed and chipped; slight fraying to foot of upper wrapper, but otherwise a very good and better-than-average copy of a difficult title. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 48.

London : S. D. Frances, [1951]. First edition. Set in Mexico – and said to have a number of autobiographical elements from the author’s own life. The subject of seventy destruction orders from local magistrates across the country (Holland p.323). Crown 8vo (19cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – brunette, body, gun – a design by Reginald Heade; some rubbing and wear at extremities, with tiny splits at head; a few minor marks; text a little tanned, but a very good copy of a difficult title. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 26.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. “Seventh edition” : a fresh edition of the title originally published under the Frances imprint the previous year – here with a plain silhouette cover replacing the sultry brunette of the original edition. Crown 8vo (19cm). 128pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a silhouette design in two shades of green, lettered in red; some minor wear and slight creasing; staples rusting, but a very good copy. No copy of this edition located in any major library worldwide.

£20

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : DESERT FURY.

London : New Fiction Press, [1953]. First edition : the variant with the colour advertisement for “One Man in his Time” on the lower wrapper. The final book in Janson’s Persian trilogy – “Mada herself will face the anger and punishment of her just but merciless father”. Evidence adduced at Janson’s trial suggests that the book may have been written in whole or in part by Geoffrey Pardoe (1890-1953). The book concludes with a 6pp “Personal Letter” from Janson to his readers on the subject of science fiction and his forthcoming book, “The Unseen Assassin”. Crown 8vo (18cm). 142,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Reginald Heade design of an exotic and bejewelled brunette from the harem; lightly rubbed; a few faint marks, but a very good copy. Williams & Holland Specials C.

£75

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : DESERT FURY.

London : New Fiction Press, [1953]. First edition : the variant with the silhouette advertisement on the lower wrapper, listing fifty-five Janson titles, four still in preparation, and the Anne Shelton “Hank Janson Blues” adverts on both inner wrappers. The final book in Janson’s Persian trilogy – “Mada herself will face the anger and punishment of her just but merciless father”. Evidence adduced at Janson’s trial suggests that the book may have been written in part by Geoffrey Pardoe (1890-1953). The book concludes with a 6pp “Personal Letter” from Janson to his readers on the subject of science fiction and his forthcoming book, “The Unseen Assassin”. Crown 8vo (18cm). 142,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Reginald Heade design of an exotic and bejewelled brunette from the harem; wrappers lightly worn and slightly creased, but overall a very good and sound copy. Just three copies (Bodleian, British Library, and Trinity College, Dublin) traced in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland Specials C.

£50

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London : S. D. Frances, [1950]. First edition. Interesting not least for a fascinating tongue-in-cheek passage at the end of the first chapter were a forward young woman lectures Hank on spanking, perversion, frustration and sublimation. Crown 8vo (19cm). 128pp. Original pictorial wrappers – a design by Reginald Heade – willowy redhead at her dressing-table looks over her shoulder at a hatted man caught in her hand-mirror; light wear and faint creasing; short split at head; staples a little rusted; pencilled marks against list of earlier titles, but a very good copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 17.

£50

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London : S. D. Frances, [1951]. First edition. A tale that begins with black-market penicillin (with a sideline in cocaine) and includes a fiendish if improbable character known as Torquemada. The penultimate book in Janson’s second series – and the subject of forty-two destruction orders by various local authorities (Holland p.323). Foolscap 8vo (19cm). 125,[iii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a typical Reginald Heade design of manacled blonde in wisp of purple and golden sandals – a variant with the price in yellow rather than white; a little light wear and creasing; lower wrapper a little spotted; a few slight internal marks and spots, but a very good copy of an extremely scarce and fragile production. Only the British Library copy located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 23.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition. Not one of Janson’s best – but interesting in bringing into the plot the Basque game of Fron-Ton (pelota). Although the original Heade artwork (bosomy redhead in state of undress) was replaced before publication by a slightly toned-down but very knowing strawberry-blonde (again from Heade – see Holland pp.90-91) – the novel still managed to be the subject of eleven local authority destruction orders (Holland p.323). The penultimate book in the Third Series – later republished as “Lose This Gun” under the Alexander Moring imprint in 1958. Crown 8vo (19cm). 125,[iii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers; lightly worn and slightly creased, with some short splits and a small tear to the lower wrapper; text faintly tanned in places, but a good copy. Just two copies (British Library and National Library of Scotland) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 35.

£75

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London : New Fiction Press, [1951]. First edition. The first of the Janson titles to appear under the imprint of Reg Carter’s New Fiction Press. The new publisher’s attitude was cautious and the already printed original Heade artwork was abandoned prior to publication in favour of a plain silhouette design. Later republished under the George Turton imprint as “Bad Girl” in 1959. Crown 8vo (19cm). 124,[iv]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a silhouette design in green, yellow and red; lightly used, with a little rubbing, slight wear and light creasing; a few faint marks, but a very good copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 29.

£25

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : FRAMED.

London : Alexander Moring, (1956). Third impression of the original edition published the previous year. Hank heads towards Berlin in his vintage car and a young woman in a fur coat hitches a ride. Crown 8vo (18cm). 158,[ii]pp. Original pictorial wrappers – redhead in green; mild edgewear; text a little tanned; a few spots, but a very good copy. Short ownership inscription on rear wrapper. Just three copies located in major libraries worldwide – just one (British Library) in the UK.

£15

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London : S. D. Frances, [1948]. First edition. The scarce third book of the first series – a somewhat gothic tale, reintroducing Patricia Hale from “Lady Mind that Corpse”, with a plot involving madness, incarceration and the opium racket. Crown 8vo (19cm). (5)-115,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a typical Reginald Heade design of pert, perky and leggy blonde with gloves, ribbons and gun; minor wear and slight creasing; slight nick to lower wrapper; some spotting, mainly of outer leaves and edges, but a very good copy of one of the most difficult titles. Market Bookstall of Lancaster label on upper wrapper and stamp on lower wrapper. Just three copies (Bodleian, British Library and Trinity College, Dublin) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 3.

£100

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London : S. D. Frances, [1949]. A very early reprint of the original edition published in September 1949. The tenth book in the first series, but here listing four of the later monthly-published titles. “I was staying at John Parker’s place in Hollywood and it was a nice set-up. It was especially a nice set-up on account of Beryl ... Me and Beryl wre rubbing along nicely together, just like a coupla dry sticks that keep on wanting to burst into flame on account of they’re getting so hot ...”. Crown 8vo (18cm). 124,[iv]pp. Oriiginal pictorial stapled wrappers – blonde, gun, heels and stockings – a design by “Ferrari” (Philip Montague Mendoza); chipped at tips, with the loss of two letters; some wear, some splitting and a few slight creases; rear wrapper slightly defective, with two contiguous large chips, but without loss of text; text a little tanned; staples a little rusted, but a reasonable copy of a difficult title. Just two copies (British Library and Trinity College, Dublin) located in major libraries worldwide. Holland & Williams 10.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. “Seventh edition”. A fresh edition of the First Series title originally published under the S. D. Frances imprint in 1949. The original Ferrari cover is here replaced by a plain silhouette design. Crown 8vo (19cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a silhouette design in blue and pink; a little worn and creased; some discolouration to half-title; text lightly tanned; a good and serviceable copy. No copy of this edition located in any major library worldwide (and only two copies of the original edition).

£20

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : HELL’S ANGEL.

London : Alexander Moring, [1956]. First edition. Janson in Florida. Crown 8vo (18cm). 159,[i]pp. Original pictorial wrappers; spine a little tanned; small scuff to upper wrapper; lower wrapper a little marked; text tanned at edges, with some occasional deeper discolouration; a serviceable copy. Just four copies (Bodleian, British Library, Melbourne and Trinity College, Dublin) located in major libraries worldwide.

£20

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London : S. D. Frances, [1951]. First edition. “I’m a hundred years old, I’ve lived a century in a few hours. I’m old enough now to understand my own stupidity, and the stupidity of others”. The last of the Janson titles to be published under his own S. D. Frances imprint. Foolscap 8vo (19cm). 124,[iv]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a subdued design by Reginald Heade (1901-1957) – sobbing brunette showing her charms; tiny chip at foot; a few faint marks, but a very good copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 28.

London : S. D. Frances, [1950]. First edition. With a theme of racial hatred in Mississippi, the book attracted twenty-seven destruction orders from local magistrates, although the book was found not to be obscene in the courtroom at Stockton-on-Tees. Crown 8vo (19cm). 125,[iii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a statuesque Reginald Heade redhead; somewhat worn and creased, with a few tiny chips and a couple of short tears; text lightly spotted and tanned; a reasonable copy of a scarce title. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries. Williams & Holland 19.

£40

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London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition. The elusive final book of the third series – an explosion in an apartment block in Chicago – Hank investigates. Crown 8vo (18cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Reginald Heade blonde menace points her gun directly at the reader; a hint of rubbing; faint creasing to spine and corners; tiny splash mark on lower wrapper, but a very good copy indeed. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 36.

SOLD

“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : KILLER.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition. Hank picks up an unusual hitchhiker en route to Chicago. One of the seven books featured in the 1954 trial – and the subject of eighteen local authority destruction orders (Holland). Crown 8vo (19cm). (3)-128,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a baleful, wide-eyed and full-mouthed Heade redhead; an indifferent copy – a little worn, creased and split; lacking 4cm at foot of spine; a serviceable copy only. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 42.

£25

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London : S. D. Frances, [1950]. First edition. A nicely observed murder tale that commences with a failed playwright turned theatre-critic – and a party at the house of the successful playwright who has undermined him. The book rattled up thirty-two destruction orders from local magistrates. Later republished under the Roberts & Vinter imprint as “Sentence for Sin” in 1960. Crown 8vo (19cm). 125,[iii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers; a saucy blonde wench in lilac lifts her skirts – a design by Reginald Heade; just a hint of rubbing and few faint marks, but a very good copy indeed. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 18.

£75

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London : S. D. Frances, [1948]. First edition. The second full-length Hank Janson title, and probably definitive in terms of fully establishing his modes of characterisation, gritty dialogue and overall style. “Sheila was disguised as a boy until another fella tried to strip away her pants. That started a rumpus which involved the important citizens ...”. The subject of forty-seven destruction orders from local magistrates. Crown 8vo (19cm). (5)-111,[v]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a leggy blonde in stockings and disarray in a design by Reginald Heade; some minor wear and faint creasing; tiny chip at foot, but overall a very good copy of a scarce early title. Just three copies (Bodleian, British Library and Trinity College, Dublin) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 2.

£100

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London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. “Seventh edition”. The second full-length Hank Janson title, first published in 1948 and probably definitive in terms of fully establishing his modes of characterisation, gritty dialogue and overall style. The subject of forty-seven destruction orders from local magistrates. Crown 8vo (19cm). 109,[iii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a plain silhouette cover replacing the leggy Heade blonde in stockings of the original edition; a little worn, creased, scuffed, split and frayed – a reasonable copy of a difficult title. No copy of this edition traced in any major library worldwide.

£20

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New York : Checkerbooks, (1949). First American edition. The second full-length Hank Janson title, and probably definitive in terms of fully establishing his modes of characterisation, gritty dialogue and overall style. The Reginald Heade cover for this edition is in fact the same as that used on the London published “Honey, Take my Gun” (1949). Crown 8vo (19cm). 96pp. Original pictorial wrappers; chip at head; a little worn at tips; text lightly tanned, but a good copy. No copy of this edition located in any major library worldwide.

£50

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London : S. D. Frances, [1950]. First edition. “Every year there’s fifty-five thousand people listed as missing in Chicago alone ...”. Crown 8vo (19cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – an Amazonian Heade redhead in unlikely attire; some mild creasing; a few faint marks on lower wrapper, but a very good and clean copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 21.

£75

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London : New Fiction Press, [1951]. “Sixth edition”. The sixth book of the first series – Janson in Des Moines, Iowa – “She was a dead dame. But that took an awful lot of believing because folk just don’t die that way ... So that started everything, including a lotta misery for June and a live guy winding up in a coffin that was due for cremation”. Originally published in 1949 – but here with a more demure plain silhouette cover replacing the original shrieking Heade redhead. Foolscap 8vo (19cm). 125,[iii]pp. Original stapled wrappers – a silhouette design in purple and pink; lightly worn, slightly split and frayed at tips, but a good, clean and serviceable copy. No copy of this edition located in any major library worldwide.

£15

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London : S. D. Frances, [1950]. First edition. A reporter goes missing – the extraordinary Tania Yaniavitchgrodoski gets in touch. Foolscap 8vo (19cm). 126pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Heade brunette in clinging gold; some wear; taped repairs at head and tail; a few creases; text a little tanned, but a good copy of a difficult title. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 20.

London : New Fiction Press, [1951]. A fresh edition of a title originally published the previous year – here with the wrappers silvered over the “Women Hate Till Death” design issued in October 1951. A reporter goes missing – the extraordinary Tania Yaniavitchgrodoski gets in touch. Later republished under the Roberts & Vinter imprint as “Downtown Doll” in 1961. Crown 8vo (19cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a silhouette design in silver, red and blue; some minor wear; a couple of tiny chips; a few slight marks and spots, but overall a very good copy. No copy of this edition located in any major library.

£15

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London : New Fiction Press, [1951]. First edition. The second title to appear under the New Fiction Press imprint. The original Heade cover design was abandoned before publication in favour of a plain silhouette, but this was not enough to prevent both author and publisher being brought before the magistrates in two trials at Darwen in the north of England in August 1952 and January 1953. Both pleaded guilty – a decision later regretted – and were given heavy fines (Holland pp.126-130). Crown 8vo (19cm). 125,[iii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – the silhouette design in red, green and yellow; a little rubbed, worn and creased; 6.5cm split to lower joint; text a little tanned; inked tick to half-title; a reasonable copy of a difficult title. Contemporary bookseller’s stamp of Watermans Book Stores, 71 North Road, Brighton, on lower wrapper. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 30.

£30

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : MURDER.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition. The first book in the fourth Janson series – Sheila Lang comes back into his life. The subject of twenty-two destruction orders from local magistrates (Holland p.323). Crown 8vo (18cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a full-lipped Reginald Heade brunette with a candle; very faint creasing to spine; a few tiny spots to lower wrapper, but a very good copy indeed. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 37.

£75

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London : S. D. Frances, [1949]. A very early reprint of the elusive fourth book in the first series – printed by the Progressive Press rather than Furnack Ltd. and listing fourteen titles as published. “When gangsters blow a bank and the heat is on, they’re not inclined to stand on ceremony ... Clara learned a thing or two and that’s why she had no regrets”. The subject of twenty local authority destruction orders. Later republished under the Roberts & Vinter imprint as “Rave for a Roughneck” in 1962. Crown 8vo (19cm). (3)-112,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Heade blonde under restraint – champagne and cleavage; slight wear at foot; slight creasing; a touch of browning; staples rusting, but a good copy of a difficult title. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide.

London : Top Fiction, [1953]. First edition : the variant state with the coloured advertisement for “Silken Menace” on the lower wrapper. Set in post-war Bonn and later republished under the Alexander Moring imprint as “Sultry Avenger” in 1959. The second and final book in the fifth series – the last of the pre-trial Hank Jansons – the three further titles announced as being in preparation were never to appear. Crown 8vo. 143,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a haughty Heade strawberry-blonde looking down her nose; just a hint of rubbing to tips; a couple of slight marks; staples rusted, but still a very good copy. No copy located in any major library worldwide. Williams & Holland 50.

London : Pendulum Publications, (1946). First edition. His first novel – a fictionalised account of a young man growing up in poverty in South London between the wars – stealing second-hand books, left-wing politics, in Spain with the International Brigade, gambling in Monte Carlo, etc. Produced under the imprint of his own Pendulum Publications, a short-lived but extraordinarily diverse publishing house set up in the closing months of the war. Frances subsequently adopted the “Hank Janson” pseudonym and became almost cetainly the best-selling author in the country. Crown 8vo (19cm). 158,[ii]pp. Original reddish cloth, lettered across upper cover and spine in black – the author’s name mis-spelt Francis on the upper cover; lightly rubbed and slightly worn and sunned; a few marks, but a good copy of a scarce title.

£500

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“JANSON, Hank” : PASSIONATE WAIF.

London : Roberts & Vinter, (1960). First edition. Suicide of atomic scientist, illicit arms sales, and a modern Mata Hari with a taste for refined torture. Foolscap 8vo (18cm). 158,[ii]pp.Original pictorial wrappers; a few faint signs of age and use, but a very good copy. Just two copies (British Library and National Library of South Africa) located in major libraries worldwide.

£15

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London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition. The second book in Janson’s Persian trilogy – sold into slavery and the harem, etc. One of the books declared obscene and banned in the January 1954 trial (although re-published under the same title in 1957). At the subsequent February 1955 trial, Frances himself was acquitted on the grounds that some of these books, including the present title, may have been written in whole or in part by the editor, Geoffrey Pardoe, who had died in May 1953. The unsigned slave-girl cover (with floating snake and equally improbable brassiere engineering) is plausibly ascribed to Reginald Heade. Crown 8vo (19cm). 127,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers; some wear, creasing and slight chipping; some mild bruising and spotting, but a good copy. Just a single copy of this edition (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland Specials B.

£40

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : PURSUIT.

London : New Fiction Press, [1953]. First edition : the first issue, with the lower wrapper listing forty-four earlier Janson titles, three of those shown as still being in preparation. Published in January 1953 – the subject of twenty-three local authority destruction orders – and one of the seven books featured in the January 1954 obscenity trial of the publishers and distributors. Crown 8vo. 143,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Reginald Heade blonde shrieking as she looks backwards; some minor rubbing and wear, staples just a touch rusted, but a very good copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 44.

£50

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London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition. A reflective and anxious Janson waits for Sadie in a deserted cafe. The first New Fiction Press Janson to risk a return to the exotic Heade covers – although he was apparently asked to tone down the image (Holland p.90). Even so, the book managed to attract twenty-eight destruction orders (Holland p.323). It was later republished as “Don’t Cry Now” under the Alexander Moring imprint in 1957 and as “Delicious Danger” under the Roberts & Vinter imprint in 1961. Crown 8vo (19cm). 124,[iv]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Reginald Heade design of dreamy beauty in fabulous head-dress and long gloves, with champagne and cigarette; some very mild creasing to spine; staples just lightly rusted, but a very good copy indeed. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 34.

London : Alexander Moring, [1957]. First edition under this title of the work originally published in 1952 by the New Fiction Press as “Sadie, Don’t Cry Now”. The pose – the long gloves, the cigarette, and the glass of champagne of the original Reginald Heade artwork remain, although much re-worked. The not-so-dumb blonde turns the tables. Crown 8vo (18cm). 158,[ii]pp. Original pictorial wrappers; just a hint of rubbing, but a very good copy. Just two copies of this edition (Bodleian and Trinity College, Dublin) located in major libraries worldwide.

£25

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London : Top Fiction, [1953]. First edition : the variant with the advertisements for the sheet-music of the Anne Shelton recording (Summer 1953) of the “Hank Janson Blues” on the inner wrappers. The first novel of the never-completed final “Continental” series – a change of scene brings Janson to Amsterdam and an entanglement both with the lovely Helga and a gang of Iron Curtain smugglers. The lower wrapper reproduces the cover of the planned but never published “Perfumed Nemesis”. Later republished under the Alexander Moring imprint as “Silken Snare” in 1959. Foolscap 8vo (19cm). 143,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Reginald Heade design of rapturous blonde in clinging blue; some minor wear; a few faint marks; staples a little rusted; lower wrapper lightly spotted; a little bruised, but a very good and bright copy. No copy located in any major library worldwide. Williams & Holland 49.

£100

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London : Alexander Moring, (1959). First edition under this title of a work originally published as “Silken Menace” by Top Fiction Press in 1953. The original artwork by Reginald Heade has been reworked – the hair less abandoned, but the gown now strapless. Crown 8vo (18cm). 159,[i]pp. Original pictorial wrappers; some very minor wear; lower wrapper with a few spots and faint diagonal crease; text a little tanned, and with faint discolouration in a few places, but a good and serviceable copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide.

London : New Fiction Press, [1951]. First edition. Janson investigates a strike in Chicago. The Reginald Heade artwork was hastily silvered over prior to publication – all that remains of the cute redhead are her silken sheets. The artwork only finally appeared on the Telos edition published in 2003. The subdued cover notwithstanding, the book attracted twenty-two destruction orders from local magistrates. The book reappeared under the Alexander Moring imprint in 1956 as “Bring Me Sorrow”. Crown 8vo (19cm). [128]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers, a silhouette in blue on silver overlaying the original design; some minor wear; slight band of discolouration to lower wrapper; a few faint marks; text lightly tanned, but a very good copy of an extremely fragile production. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 33.

£50

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London : S. D. Frances, [1949]. First edition : collates as the British Library copy – the variant printed by the Middlesex & Herts Press. The final book of the first series, published in November 1949 – and the subject of twenty-seven local authority destruction orders (Holland p.322). Crown 8vo (19cm). (3)-127,[iii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Reginald Heade strawberry-blonde in stockings and wrap fiddles with her suspenders; spine a little creased; some very minor wear; staples a little rusted; a few faint marks, but a very good copy. Just three copies (Bodleian, British Library, and Trinity College, Dublin) located in major libraries worldwide, Williams & Holland 12.

London : S. D. Frances, [1949]. First edition. The fifth book of the first series, published in April 1949. Hank admires both Muriel and the statue of a campaigning journalist. Crown 8vo (19cm). (7)-117,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Reginald Heade blonde kneels in supplication; some wear; slight chips at tips and corners; staples badly rusted; a reasonable copy of a very difficult title. Just a single copy (British Library) located in the world’s major libraries. Williams & Holland 5.

London : S. D. Frances, [1950]. First edition. Hank is taken off a big story to fly to St. Louis – there is a reason. The scarce second book of the second series. The book attracted forty-nine destruction orders (Holland. p.322). Later republished under the Roberts & Vinter imprint as “Play It Quiet” in 1962. Crown 8vo (19cm). (3)-128,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Heade blonde in bonds, heels and little else; minor wear; vertical crease to upper wrapper; tiny hole to lower wrapper; a few marks, but a very good copy of a scarce title. Contemporary bookseller’s stamp of Harman’s on the Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, on lower wrapper. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 14.

£75

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London : New Fiction Press, [1951]. “Sixth edition”. A reprint of the original 1950 publication – the scarce second book of the second series, but the advertisements here extending the list of available titles to “Skirts Bring Me Sorrow” (published December 1951). The original Heade bondage blonde cover has here been replaced by a plain silhouette design. The book attracted forty-nine destruction orders (Holland. p.322). Later republished under the Roberts & Vinter imprint as “Play It Quiet” in 1962. Crown 8vo (18cm). 124,[iv]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a silhouette design in blue and cream; some very minor wear and spotting; a few faint marks, but a very good copy. No copy of this reprint located in major libraries worldwide – and only the British Library copy of the original edition.

£20

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London : Alexander Moring, (1958). First edition. A newspaper stunt brings together some old-time bootleggers. Crown 8vo (18cm). 160pp. Original pictorial wrappers; some very minor wear; slight discolouration and creasing to lower wrapper, but still a very good copy. Just three copies (Bibliothèque Nationale, British Library and V&A) located in major libraries worldwide.

£25

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : SUSPENSE.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition : a bibliographically complex title – the text appearing in at least three different settings, of which this appears to be the earliest, with the present title still listed as “in preparation” on the verso of the title-page, but in an evidently later printing of the wrappers, listing forty-eight numbered Janson titles and three specials on the lower wrapper – six titles marked as being in preparation. “I replaced the receiver, dug down in my desk drawer for the bottle of rye that helps prevent a guy get moody when everyone else is tucked up nice and comfortable in their warm beds, drew the cork with my teeth and hygienically sloshed the raw liquor around my teeth and gargled with it ...”. The book was subject to seventeen destruction orders by various local authorities (Holland p.323). Crown 8vo (19cm). 144pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a design by Reginald Heade – anguished redhead on a bulky telephone; a little worn, creased and slightly split; neat repair at foot; a few marks, but a good copy of a difficult title. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 43.

£40

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : SUSPENSE.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition : a bibliographically complex title – the text appearing in at least three different settings, of which this appears to be a secondary variant, with the text squeezed up throughout to free the final page for an advertisement for the publisher’s new line of genuine American fiction by Gil Brewer and Edward Ronns. “I replaced the receiver, dug down in my desk drawer for the bottle of rye that helps prevent a guy get moody when everyone else is tucked up nice and comfortable in their warm beds, drew the cork with my teeth and hygienically sloshed the raw liquor around my teeth and gargled with it ...”. The book was subject to seventeen destruction orders by various local authorities (Holland p.323). Crown 8vo (19cm). 143,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a design by Reginald Heade – anguished redhead on a bulky telephone – the earlier variant, listing just two earlier fourth series Janson titles; lightly rubbed and a little worn; a few very faint marks and tiny creases,but an entirely acceptable copy of a difficult title. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 43.

£50

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : SWEET FURY.

London : Alexander Moring, [1957]. First edition. Janson back at the Chicago Chronicle newsdesk – but disillusioned and at a low ebb. Crown 8vo (18cm). 158,[ii]pp. Original pictorial wrappers – a smart brunette in off the shoulder pink; lightly worn and slightly tanned; final advertisement leaf a little creased; a good copy. Just two copies (Bodleian and National Library of Scotland) located in major libraries worldwide.

£20

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London : S. D. Frances, [1949]. First edition. A scarce “first series” Janson title set in Hollywood – the action switching from studio to marijuana den, and with intimations of the making of a snuff movie. The artwork is here by “Ferrari” (Philip Montague Mendoza) rather than Heade – but still in blonde, body, gun, vein. The novel became the subject of twenty-seven destruction orders by various local authorities (Holland p.322). Later republished under the Alexander Moring imprint as “Situation – Grave!” in 1958. Crown 8vo (18cm). 128pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers; minor wear at head; a few small creases to upper wrapper; very slightly rumpled, but a very good copy. Neat bookseller’s stamp of James Preston of 25 Blakey Moor, Blackburn on lower wrapper. Just two copies (British Library and Trinity College, Dublin) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 9.

£75

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London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. “Seventh edition”. Originally published in 1949 – and here with the text reset and a plain silhouette cover replacing the crouching blonde of the original issue. Crown 8vo (18cm). 127,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a silhouette design in brown, blue and cream; minor chipping at tips; a few slight creases and tiny nicks; staples lightly rusted, but a very good copy. No copies of this edition located in major libraries worldwide.

£20

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London : Alexander Moring, (1958). First edition under this title. Made and printed in France under the Moring imprint, but originally published by Frances in 1949 as “Sweetheart, Here’s Your Grave!” – an early Janson, set in Hollywood – the action switching from studio to marijuana den, and with intimations of the making of a snuff movie. Crown 8vo (18cm). 160pp. Original pictorial wrappers – a leggy design quite different from that of the earlier edition; lightly rubbed, with some faint creasing; lower panel faintly sunned; text lightly tanned, but overall an acceptable copy. Just two copies (Bibliothèque Nationale and British Library) located in major libraries worldwide.

London : S. D. Frances, [1950]. [Second edition]. The third book of the second series – a tale of a black man framed for murder, a gangster with a harem of branded women, etc. Originally published earlier in 1950, but here printed by Hollyfield rather than the Bandon Press, and listing twenty-one (rather than seventeen titles) on the verso of the half-title. Crown 8vo (19cm). (3)-(130)pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Reginald Heade design of blonde displaying ample and highly visible charms; lower wrapper advertising the twelve books of the first series; a little worn; short splits; slight nicks and creases to wrappers; mild tanning of text; a good copy of a scarce and fragile production. Just a single copy (British Library) of this title located in major libraries worldwide.

SOLD

“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : TENSION.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition. Hank Janson in the mid-west, a story of racial tension cleverly handled. The subject of twenty-one local authority destruction orders (Holland p.323). Crown 8vo (19cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – pouty and voluptuous redhead in green by Reginald Heade; some minor wear and creasing to spine; a few faint spots to title-page, but a very good copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 39.

£40

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : TENSION.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. “Second edition” – a reprint of the original edition published in July 1952 – this issue seemingly dating from later that year and here with the plain silhouette cover replacing the full-lipped Heade redhead of the original issue. Crown 8vo (19cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a silhouette design; some minor wear and creasing; short and unobtrusive tear to upper joint, offsetting to blank inner back wrapper; but still a very good copy. Just a single copy of this title (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide.

£20

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : TENSION.

London : Alexander Moring, [1957]. Second edition. Originally published in 1952 by the New Fiction Press. The artwork is a very close copy of the original Reginald Heade cover – adjusted to suit the Moring format. Crown 8vo (18cm). 158,[ii]pp. Original pictorial wrappers; mild tanning to text, but a very good copy. No copy of this edition located in any major library worldwide.

£20

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London : S. D. Frances, [1951]. First edition. The last of Janson’s second series – the plot building from a nicely observed argument with a waiter. The subject of fifty-eight local authority destruction orders (Holland p.323) – presumably the result of the eye-popping embonpoint of Reginald Heade’s cover. Later republished as “Too Soon to Die”. Foolscap 8vo (19cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – buxom blonde by Heade; spine rubbed and a little worn; some very minor creasing; text lightly tanned, but overall a very good copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 24.

£75

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London : S. D. Frances, [1951]. First edition : a secondary issue, with the wrappers silvered over and overprinted in a plain and tame silhouette design to deflect the increasing attention of the authorities. The date of this issue can be approximately established by the fact that the underlying wrappers are those of a slightly later Janson title (Milady Took the Rap), published in September 1951 – seven months later than the present title. The last of Janson’s second series – the plot building from a nicely observed argument with a waiter. Foolscap 8vo (19cm) 126,[ii]pp. Original stapled wrappers – a design in blue and silver overlaying the Heade artwork; spine lightly rubbed and a little puckered; lower wrapper very faintly spotted; a few internal marks, but a very good copy. Just a single copy of this title (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide.

£25

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London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. “Seventh edition”. The last of Janson’s second series – originally published by Frances early in 1951 – and here with the text reset under the New Fiction Press imprint and with the plain silhouette cover replacing the voluptuous Heade blonde of the original edition. Foolscap 8vo (19cm). 127,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a design in orange and red; spine worn and slightly defective, but a serviceable copy. No copy of this edition located in any major library worldwide.

£20

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London : S. D. Frances, [1948]. First edition : a variant on thicker stock and with the price printed on the upper wrapper in blue rather than black. Although Frances had used the Hank Janson pseudonym twice before on unrelated books, this is the elusive first book of the first series of Hank Jansons proper, where author and hero become one – it was also the beginning of his extraordinary collaboration with the cover artist, Reginald Heade (1901-1957). Although published in an edition of 10,000 copies (Holland pp.59-61), the subsequent destruction orders imposed by various local authorities and the notoriety that attached to the 1954 and 1955 obscenity trials have made this a scarce book. Foolscap 8vo (19cm). 112pp. Original stapled pictorial wrappers – a fine design by Reginald Heade of an alluring blonde, strapless and with an incredible cigarette holder; a little worn and creased, with some slight chipping; price stamped on upper wrapper; tape-marks on verso of upper wrapper; staples just lightly rusted; a good copy of a difficult title. Only the British Library copy located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 1.

£125

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London : S. D. Frances, [1951]. An early reprint of the elusive first book of the first series of Hank Jansons proper. Originally published in 1948, and here with the silhouette replacing the languid Heade blonde of the original issue. Foolscap 8vo (19cm). 112pp. Original stapled wrappers – a silhouette design in orange, white and black; just lightly worn; slight crease and short tear to upper wrapper; staples rusted, but a good copy. No copy of this reprint located in any major library worldwide.

£20

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London : S. D. Frances, [1950]. First edition. It begins as a quiet day at the Chicago Chronicle office – “This is a newspaper ... we gotta have news. We’ve gotta keep churning it out” – Hank goes in search of the mystery author of the latest ‘hot’ best-seller and ends in tracking down counterfeit dollar bills. The plot is interesting in incorporating his views on literary censorship and small-town prejudice – precisely the problems he was himself beginning to encounter. The Reginald Heade artwork – half-naked blonde roped to beam – was probably instrumental in drawing forty-one destruction orders from local magistrates (Holland p.322). Later republished under the Roberts & Vinter imprint as “Suddenly It’s Sin” in 1961. Crown 8vo (19cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a Heade blonde tied to a pole; a little worn and creased; lower wrapper slightly frayed; some mild discolouration; staples rusted; occasional faint yellowing and creasing to text; a good copy of a scarce book. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 16.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. A reprint of the original edition published in 1950 – here with a plain silhouette cover replacing the bondage blonde of the original issue. The cover reads “Trixie” for “Trixy”. Crown 8vo (19cm). 126,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a silhouette design in red and yellow; a few minor marks; staples lightly rusted, but a very good and still bright copy. No copy of this reprint located in any major library worldwide.

£20

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : VENGEANCE.

London : New Fiction Press, [1953]. First edition. Hank Janson of the Chicago Chronicle and the case of a good man turned sour by a false conviction. The book became the subject of nineteen destruction orders from local magistrates and was one of the books featured in the January 1954 Old Bailey obscenity trial – as a result of which both the publisher and distributor were sentenced to prison. This gave rise to a question in the House of Commons as to how many copies had been bought for distribution to the armed services – and the slightly evasive response that a small quantity had been purchased by the NAAFI. Crown 8vo (19cm). 142,[ii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a sultry blonde in clinging lilac by the incomparable Reginald Heade; lightly worn; small chip and slight split to spine; lower wrapper a little soiled; text lightly tanned, but overall a very good copy. Just a single copy (British Library – no longer held in the secret ‘Suppressed Safe’ but still with a ‘Private Case’ shelfmark) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 45.

£75

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“JANSON, Hank” – [FRANCES, Stephen Daniel, 1917-1989] : WHIPLASH.

London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. First edition. “The guy was dead. Horribly dead. As dead as a stone gargoyle and just as ugly ...”. Crown 8vo (19cm). 127,[i]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – a tender Reginald Heade design of a distraught young woman almost in a golden gown; lacks half-title; slight wear at tips; some very minor creasing, but otherwise a very good copy of a scarce book. Just two copies (British Library and Melbourne) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 40.

SOLD

“JANSON, Hank” : WILD GIRL.

London : George Turton (Publishers), (1959). First edition. The second Hank Janson title to appear under the Turton imprint, although seemingly not one written by the Steve Frances. A beautiful girl is abducted from an American airport – but declines to be rescued by Janson. Crown 8vo (18cm). 159,[i]pp. Original pictorial wrappers – a sultry brunette in hitched purple skirt propped on the grass; price scratched from upper wrapper, leaving a small, unsightly scuff, but otherwise a very good copy. Just two copies (British Library and Bibliothèque Nationale de France) of this edition located in major libraries worldwide.

£20

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London : New Fiction Press, [1951]. First edition : the variant with the cover silhouette in green and yellow rather than black and yellow. The original Heade artwork for this title was never issued and appears no longer to survive. The subject of twenty-seven destruction orders (Holland p.323). Later republished under the Alexander Moring imprint as “Hate” in 1958. Crown 8vo (19cm). 125,[iii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers; some minor wear; tiny split at foot; a few faint marks and minor creases, but a very good copy. Just a single copy (British Library) located in major libraries worldwide. Williams & Holland 31.

£25

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London : New Fiction Press, [1952]. “Eighth edition” : an early reprint of the original 1951 edition. Later republished under the Alexander Moring imprint as “Hate” in 1958. Crown 8vo (19cm). 125,[iii]pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – the silhouette design in purple and peach; some minor wear; light creasing; a little spotting, but a very good copy. No copy of this reprint located in any major library worldwide. Williams & Holland 31.

£20

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London : George Turton Publishers, (1959). First edition. A Foreign Legion novel written by Frances (Hank Janson) for Reg Carter’s new imprint – and possibly the last novel he wrote for Carter. Crown 8vo (18cm). 144pp. Original pictorial wrappers; a little worn and creased, with a short split to upper spine fold; text and edges a little spotted and tanned; a good copy. No copy located in any major library worldwide.

£40

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London : George Turton Publishers, (1959). First edition. A Foreign Legion novel written by Frances (Hank Janson) for Reg Carter’s new imprint – and possibly the last novel he wrote for Carter. Crown 8vo (18cm). 144pp. Original pictorial wrappers; some wear and splitting; a few marks and small creases, but a good copy of an uncommon title. No copy located in any major library worldwide.

£40

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